Leading Through Uncertainty | UC Davis Health

Make Your Meetings More Active

  • Include items on your meeting agenda that require participants to get out of their seats (breakout groups, stand and write ideas on an easel).
  • Choose movement friendly meeting locations (walkable neighborhoods, on-site gym, nearby park).
  • Hire a professional instructor (pilates, yoga, tai chi, stretching, Zumba) to lead a class before or during the meeting.
  • Point out the stairs and encourage attendees to use them. Consider including the location of stairs in meeting directions or putting arrows to the stairs in front of elevators.
  • Organize a group walk early in the morning, during a break or before/after dinner.
  • Consider incorporating standing ovations after each speaker to encourage participants to stand and stretch.

Standing Breaks

  • At least once an hour, participants should be encouraged to stand up to improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and relieve physical discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time.
  • Announce that it is fine to stand up and move around, as needed. If possible, provide raised tables for those electing to stand during the meeting.

Stretch Breaks

  • Stretch breaks help participants wake up their bodies and minds.
  • Encourage people to stand up and stretch in place.
  • Try playing a Healthy UC Davis WakeBreak video! These instructor-led stretch videos range from 4 to 15 minutes. 

Breathing Exercise

  • Focused breathing is an energizing activity that can help relax and clear your mind. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Suggested Activity Agendas

LENGTH OF MEETINGSTANDING BREAKSTRETCH BREAKSBREATHING BREAKSMOVEMENT BREAKSWALKING BREAKS
50 - 60 minx x  
2 - 4 hoursxxxx 
All Dayxxxxx

2020 brought a global pandemic, devastating wildfires and hazardous air quality, and social unrest amid a national reckoning with racial inequities and injustices.

With stress and uncertainty affecting all UC Davis Health staff, faculty, students and affiliates, our UC Davis Organizational Development team coordinated and presented, “Thriving in Turbulent Times”, a series of free webinars and workshops throughout October and November, 2020, for UC Davis Health leaders and staff. This series focused on bolstering resiliency so that all employees can continue to thrive, personally and professionally, during this challenging year and beyond. The series was presented by UC Davis Organizational Development and sponsored by Vice Chancellor of Human Health Sciences and UC Davis Health CEO David Lubarsky and the UCDH Executive Leadership Team.

Below are all recordings of the events: